Miami Beach: Free Family Fun Under the Sun

Living in South Florida definitely has its advantages, and mid-70 degree temperatures all winter long definitely tops the list. While our summer months can be extremely hot and muggy, most families enjoy sleeping with the windows wide open and spending every available moment from Thanksgiving through Mother's Day outdoors. If you're visiting Miami Beach this season and want to join the locals at some truly unique outdoor activities, here are a few you'll find fun, free and fabulous!

1. WALLCASTS™ at the New World Symphony, South Beach

America's Orchestral Academy has a brand new playhouse designed by world renowned Architect Frank Gehry and part of the design incorporates Miami Beach SoundScape Park just north of Lincoln Road Mall. Families gather on blankets with picnics to enjoy select free symphony events and major motion pictures broadcast in sparkling high definition on a 7,000-square-foot wall of the new building. April's concerts include The Mahler Legacy at 7:30pm on Saturday the 30th. Film fans can enjoy Casablanca at 8pm on April 27. The weekly Cinema Series continues every Wednesday through June 15.

Bal Harbour Village is a posh stretch of beachfront nestled between busy Miami Beach and family-friendly Sunny Isles. With a multi-million dollar top designer shopping enclave as one of it's most popular attractions, it's a wonder that there are also fun, free events scheduled at the tony ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa as part of the community's public calendar. At 8pm on Saturday April 23, the hotel lines the beach with linen couches, pillows and blankets and serves free popcorn at a screening of Toy Story 3 out on the sand.

Riding beautifully groomed horses across the blazing sands of 21 Street Beach swinging a long-handled mallet and scoring goals against some of the world's foremost polo players is not an easy thing to do, but on April 21-24 you can watch the events unfold at the men's and women's Polo World Cup matches starting with a horse parade on April 22 at 12:30pm and including exciting daily meets from 1pm-5pm. Bring a blanket, an umbrella and some sunscreen and be prepared to cheer for your favorites all weekend long. Watching from the water's edge is fun and free.